Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
resource-depleting
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "resource-depleting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe activities, processes, or practices that consume or exhaust natural resources. Example: "The factory's operations are resource-depleting, leading to significant environmental concerns."
✓ Grammatically correct
The phrase "resource-depleting" is commonly found in contexts discussing environmental issues, economic strategies, and sustainability.
It often appears when describing practices that exhaust natural resources or have a negative impact on the environment.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
6 human-written examples
The alacrity with which the World Bank has welcomed the Brics bank also relates to the fact that its goals as a development bank look not very different from the resource-depleting, export-oriented economic strategies that have heretofore governed the emerging markets participation in capitalist globalisation.
News & Media
Environmentalists say a bigger cultural and economic shift is needed, away from relentless consumption and shopping to a less resource-depleting approach.
News & Media
A naive view would oppose the close-to-nature, deep-rooted and forest-committed Menominee to the shallow-rooted, ignorant and resource-depleting majority-culture sportsmen.
This attitude reveals that, above all, we want to sustain our energy-intensive, resource-depleting lifestyle, the very demands of which are damaging our planet.
News & Media
Wool's solution is a collaboration with poultry giant Tyson Foods to explore manufacture of another resource-depleting necessity the circuit board using chicken feathers.
Perhaps the live tissue of cycad stems enabled the resource-depleting consequences of the alien pest's homopteran feeding style that compromised strength of the pachycaulis stem without any signs of intermediating stem decay.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
54 human-written examples
Polly Courtice, director of the CISL, said that while an increasing number of business leaders were turning ambitions of sustainability into practice, "it is undeniably the case that inequality is rising, ecosystems degraded, resources depleted and greenhouse gas levels are increasing".
News & Media
While Al Qaeda's core is greatly diminished and its resources depleted, the man who succeeded Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has been seeking nuclear weapons for more than a decade.
News & Media
So here is Catherine, bone-weary, her resources depleted by suffering, standing silently at the end, looking down the valley at her grandson, knowing that life is, in essence, shit and success counts as shovelling enough of it out of your way before it buries you and everyone else.
News & Media
Typically these differences are seen as resource depleting" (p. 236).
This ties up their most precious resource, depletes their cash reserves for rainy days, and increases the possibility of the business failing.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use the phrase "resource-depleting" when you want to emphasize the exhaustion of resources rather than simply their consumption. This highlights the negative impact on sustainability.
Common error
Avoid using "resource-depleting" as a vague descriptor. Instead, specify the type of resource being depleted (e.g., "water", "minerals", "fossil fuels") to provide a more precise and meaningful statement.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "resource-depleting" functions as an adjective, typically modifying nouns to describe activities, processes, or systems that lead to the exhaustion of resources. It highlights the characteristic of consuming or diminishing resources, as confirmed by Ludwig examples.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Science
30%
Formal & Business
15%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
10%
Academia
5%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "resource-depleting" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that describes activities or processes that exhaust natural resources. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's best to specify which resources are being depleted for clarity. Related phrases include "resource-consuming" and "environmentally unsustainable". Remember to avoid overgeneralization and provide specific context to enhance the impact of your message.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
resource-consuming
Focuses on the action of consuming resources, similar to "resource-depleting".
exhausting resources
A more active voice way of saying "resource-depleting".
resource-intensive
Highlights the high level of resources required.
consuming finite resources
Specifically refers to the consumption of limited resources.
environmentally unsustainable
Emphasizes the negative environmental impact.
wasteful of resources
Highlights the inefficient use of resources.
ecologically damaging
Focuses on the harm to ecosystems.
economically unsustainable
Focuses on the fact that a process cannot be continued from an economic point of view.
unsustainable practice
General term for practices that cannot be maintained long-term due to resource use.
diminishing returns
Related to the concept of a resource becoming less effective or available over time.
FAQs
How can I use "resource-depleting" in a sentence?
You can use "resource-depleting" to describe activities or processes that consume or exhaust natural resources. For example, "The factory's operations are resource-depleting, leading to significant environmental concerns."
What are some alternatives to "resource-depleting"?
Alternatives include "resource-consuming", "resource-intensive", or "environmentally unsustainable", depending on the specific context.
What does "resource-depleting" mean?
"Resource-depleting" refers to any process or activity that consumes or exhausts natural resources, often at an unsustainable rate, leading to their reduction or depletion.
Is "resource-depleting" the same as "environmentally damaging"?
While related, "resource-depleting" specifically focuses on the consumption of resources, whereas "ecologically damaging" is a broader term that includes any harm to ecosystems, not necessarily tied to resource depletion.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested